Ionizer Measurements for Critical Static Sensitive Applications

Our thanks to Simco-Ion for allowing us to reprint the following article.

Critical Protection for Sensitive Devices

Static charge control has become essential to

maximizing production yields and product throughput in

the manufacturing of semiconductors, disk drives, flat

panel displays, and many other products. One of the

most serious problems in these production areas is

electrostatic discharge, or ESD. Most electronic devices

are not sensitive to ESD events that occur below 200

volts. In the disk drive industry, however, the increasing

use of magnetoresistive (AMR through TMR) read heads

has caused concern for ESD events at under 5 volt

levels. The need for static control at this low level has

driven the introduction of alpha ionizing blowers specially

designed for this application.

In alpha ionizers, Polonium 210 is the source of alpha

particles which collide with nitrogen and oxygen

molecules in the surrounding air. This collision displaces

electrons, creating positive nitrogen and oxygen ions at

the collision site. Scattered electrons from the collision

site rapidly (within 2-3cm) attach themselves to other

nitrogen and oxygen molecules to form negative ions. In

this way, each alpha particle collision produces positive

and negative ion pairs that result in an inherently

balance ion output.

This technical note is concerned with the measurements

required to characterize alpha ionizing blowers for use in

MR head and other critical applications.

Ionizer Measurements

When ionizers are used for static their performance is

measured using a Charged Plate Monitor (CPM), and

the procedures of the industry standard ANSI EOS/ESD

S3.1-1991 (S3.1). S3.1 provides procedures to

determine balance (known as offset voltage) and the

discharge time of the ionizer. One of the most important

issues to remember about making the balance

measurement is that the voltage measured by the CPM

is not the same as the voltage on an MR head or IC.

Ionizer measurements of balance using a CPM produce

a value that is generally much larger than the voltage

measured on real parts in actual applications.

The CPM was designed to ESD Association standard

S3.1 to do testing of ionizer discharge time and balance

under laboratory conditions. At the beginning of each

measurement, the zero setting of the CPM is verified. In

1987, when the standard was written and the CPM was

specified, overhead ionizers and MR heads were not in

production. In fact, the standard was modified in 1991 to

add the test method for overhead ionizers, now

commonly used in HDD production. The issue of 20 volts

and better ionizer balance did not arise until MR heads

began being produced in quantity about 1995.

The CPM was never designed to be a long term

monitoring device for ionizers, nor was it designed to

accurately measure balance to values of 5 volts or less.

Anyone using a CPM for precise balance measurements

should understand that they may be measuring the

performance of the CPM, not the ionizer. This is

particularly true when measuring the balance of an alpha

ionizer, which by its nature is always at zero balance.

Altering the CPM for Measuring at Extremely Low

Temperatures

Since the CPM and the measurement methods of

S3.1 are contained in many industry and corporate

standards, replacing them with an alternate instrument

and test method can be difficult. Most models of CPMs

that meet the requirements of S3.1 use an electrostatic

fieldmeter to determine the voltage induced by the

ionizer on an isolated 15cm x 15 cm conductive plate

having a 20 picofarad capacitance. The fieldmeter is

limited by its design in its accuracy, bandwidth, and

stability. For the purposes of this discussion, CPMs and

other measuring techniques that do not meet the

requirements of S3.1 (although they may make useful

measurements) will not be considered.

The first issue that arises is the bandwidth of the

measurements. Due to the bandwidth limitations of the

fieldmeter sensor (typically 10Hz), and the time constant

of the plate assembly (2-20 seconds with most ion

sources), the CPM cannot make accurate

measurements of the voltage swings produced by an AC

ionizer. Polarity changes at the power line frequency are

too fast to be measured by any CPM. While other

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measurement techniques might be used, such as

discharge current transient measurements, these are not

covered by any existing standards. Anyone considering

the use of an AC ionizer around products sensitive to 10

volts or less should consider another type of

measurement before using the AC ionizer. While there is

no way to improve the ability of the CPM to accurately

measure AC signals, there is a relatively simple way to

improve the accuracy and stability of the DC

measurements. There are a number of manufacturers

(for example, TREK or Monroe Electronics) of stable,

highly accurate electrostatic voltmeters that could be

used to sense the voltage on the isolated plate. In

finding an electrostatic voltmeter with the required

accuracy (+/-0.5 volts or better) a compromise on

maximum range may be necessary, perhaps to +/-200

volts. This should pose no problem if the desired ionizer

offset (balance) measurement is to 5 volts or less.

Choose an electrostatic voltmeter with a small enough

probe to securely mount it under the existing CPM plate.

An electrostatic voltmeter works by nulling the field from

the plate by raising its probe voltage to a level similar to

the plate voltage. Care must be taken to mount the

sensor probe where shorts and voltage arcs to the

sensor or plate will not occur. Once mounted, the sensor

calibration can be adjusted and checked by applying

accurate, known voltages to the plate. If necessary, a

calibration chart can be constructed.

While most electrostatic voltmeters have a digital

display, be sure that the least significant digit is +/-0.1

volts. There is always a +/- 1 digit uncertainty in digital

displays that must be considered if you are trying to

measure to zero volts with accuracy. It may be better to

use an analog output from the electrostatic voltmeter

connected to an oscilloscope or an accurate voltmeter.

Once again, it is a good idea to calibrate th

Effectiveness test data of Ionizer
module Ionissimo®
Ionizer module Ionissimo®
The following data are reference by each testing condition.

Ionizer module Introduction

- Air cleaning test -
High air - cleaning effect is observed for cigarette smoke and dust particles

 Measurement taken by Murata Power Supplies Department

 Particle samples: Cigarette smoke particles, dust particles
 Testing site: Inside a vehicle (a small sedan by Company T)
 Measurement equipment: Particle Counter by Rion Co., Ltd.
(Measurable particle size 0.3 to 0.5 µm)

- Deodorizing test -
Demonstrates strong deodorizing effect for typical odor sources of hydrogen
sulfide and formaldehyde

Formaldehyde Hydrogen sulfide

 Testing institution: BOKEN QUALITY EVALUATION INSTITUTE

 Chemical samples: Hydrogen sulfide, Formaldehyde

- Anti - virus test -

Demonstrates strong effect on airborne virus

 Testing institution: Biomedical Science Association

 Sample virus: Type A influenza subtype H3N2 (Type A Hong Kong flu)
virus
- Bacteria elimination test -
High anti - bacteria effect is demonstrated against Bacillus coli and
Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacillus coli Staphylococcus aureus

 Testing institution: BOKEN QUALITY EVALUATION INSTITUTE

 Bacteria samples: Bacillus coli, Staphylococcus aureus

- Anti - mold test -

Demonstrates anti - mold effect
  Testing institution: BOKEN QUALITY EVALUATION INSTITUTE
 Sample mold: Compliant with JIS Z 2911

Fourteen days later Twenty eight days later

Without of Ionizer
module Ionissimo®

With of Ionizer
module Ionissimo®
- Mite control test -
Demonstrates anti - mite effect

 Testing institution: VIABLE Co., Ltd.

 Sample mite: European house dust mite

- Human body static elimination test -

High static elimination effect is demonstrated when getting off the vehicle.
The negative ion tester is a useful mini counter to test the concentration of ions emitted from your
negative ion products, negative ion generator, ionizer and anion clothing.

Testing Of Negative Ion Generator, Ionizer, Air Purifier

And Air Con
 Step 1 – Start the ion test process by switching on the power of the
negative ion tester.
 Step 2 – Hold the ion counter with the rear metal piece facing the
ionizer, air purifier, air-con.
 Step 3 – Start the negative ion testing process and see the readings
on the counter.
This mini air ion tester can test both negative and positive ions. When
negative ion is being found, the device display a “ – ” minus sign in
front of the reading.

Test Range: Ion test range between 1 × 104 to 1999

× 104 ions/cm3
Every unit display is approximately around 104 ions/cm3. Therefore, if
the reading show -967 as per above ionizer example, it means the
presence of approximately -967 X 104 = -9670 000 ions/cm3. This
figure represent a presence of approximately 9670,000 ions/cm3 of
negative ions which means the ionizer is generating a very high
concentration of anions.

This mini air ion counter is not meant for very precise
reading. The reading does not stop at an exact value.
Rather, it indicates the range of negative ions present at
the point of measurement. The ions present in our
environment are always changing as air move and
circulate around. Hence, the ion testing could not reflect
static figure. Rather, it measure the range of positive and
negative ions presented at any particular moment.
The tester can read up to 1999. Any readings higher than this, the
tester reflect just the digit 1 or -1 (for negative ion readings).

The negative ion tester is a useful mini device to test the

concentration of ions emitted from your negative ion generator, ionizer
and negative ion clothing.

Does Your Ionizer Generate Negative Ions?

The negative ion tester help to check if your negative ion products are
performing as they are intended to be. An essential tool for owners of
negative ion products.

With the large variety of negative ion products in the market that
promise to generate plenty of negative ions, this mini air ion tester is a
simple and quick way to differentiate the real negative ion generating
products from the fake claims. It help consumers choose negative
products that truly bring health benefits.

This affordable ion meter can measure both air ion concentration as
well as ion’s polarity and concentration on fabric materials and
clothing.
Negative Ion Tester Product Specification
 Ion test range between 1 × 104 to 1999 ×104 ions/cm3
 Resolution: 1 × 104 ions/cm3
 LCD Display: Max reading of 1999
 Display concentration of positive and negative air ion
 Check the concentration of negative ions generated by ionizer and
negative ion generator
 Run quick tests on clothes and textiles for their ion’s polarity and
concentration
 Very easy operation, switch on and instant reading shown
 LR44 button battery included
 Lightweight and compact design, easy to carry around
 Dimensions:78mm(L) x 27mm(W) x 9mm(H)